How the Egyptian entreated the Israelite, saying, "Of thine own intention fill a jug from the Nile and put it to my lips, that I may drink. (I beseech thee) by the right of friendship and brotherhood; for the jug which ye Israelites fill from the Nile for yourselves is pure water, while the jug which we Egyptians fill is pure blood."

من شنیدم که در آمد قبطیی ** از عطش اندر وثاق سبطیی

I heard that an Egyptian, on account of thirst, came into the house of an Israelite.

گفت هستم یار و خویشاوند تو ** گشته‌ام امروز حاجتمند تو

He said, “I am thy friend and kinsman: to-day I have become in need of thee,

زانک موسی جادوی کرد و فسون ** تا که آب نیل ما را کرد خون

Because Moses wrought sorcery and enchantments, so that he made the water of the Nile to be blood for us.

سبطیان زو آب صافی می‌خورند ** پیش قبطی خون شد آب از چشم‌بند

The Israelites drink pure water from it, (but) to the Egyptians the water has become blood from the spell laid on our eyes.

قبط اینک می‌مرند از تشنگی ** از پی ادبار خود یا بدرگی3435

Look, the Egyptians are dying of thirst in consequence of their ill-fortune or their evil nature.

بهر خود یک طاس را پر آب کن ** تا خورد از آبت این یار کهن

Fill one cup with water for thyself, that this old friend may drink of thy water.

چون برای خود کنی آن طاس پر ** خون نباشد آب باشد پاک و حر

When thou fillest that cup for thine own sake, ’twill not be blood, ’twill be water pure and free (from taint).

من طفیل تو بنوشم آب هم ** که طفیلی در تبع به جهد ز غم

I too will drink the water as thy parasite; for a parasite, in following (his host), is relieved from anguish.”

گفت ای جان و جهان خدمت کنم ** پاس دارم ای دو چشم روشنم

He (the Israelite) said, “O (thou who art to me as) soul and world, I will do (this) service (for thee); I will pay (thee) regard (in this matter), O (thou who art as) my two bright eyes!

بر مراد تو روم شادی کنم ** بنده‌ی تو باشم آزادی کنم3440

I will do according to thy desire, I will rejoice (to serve thee); I will be thy slave, I will act (generously) as a freeman.”

طاس را از نیل او پر آب کرد ** بر دهان بنهاد و نیمی را بخورد

He filled the cup with water from the Nile, put it to his lips, and drank one half (of the water).

طاس را کژ کرد سوی آب‌خواه ** که بخور تو هم شد آن خون سیاه

(Then) he tilted the cup towards him who craved the water, saying, “Drink thou too!” That (water) became black blood.

باز ازین سو کرد کژ خون آب شد ** قبطی اندر خشم و اندر تاب شد

Again he tilted it on this side (towards himself): the blood became water (once more). The Egyptian was enraged and incensed.

ساعتی بنشست تا خشمش برفت ** بعد از آن گفتش کای صمصام زفت

He sat down awhile till his anger departed; after that, he said to him, “O mighty sword (of the Faith),

ای برادر این گره را چاره چیست ** گفت این را او خورد کو متقیست3445

O brother, what is the expedient for (loosing) this knot?” He (the Israelite) said, “(Only) he that is God-fearing drinks this (water).”

متقی آنست کو بیزار شد ** از ره فرعون و موسی‌وار شد

The God-fearing man is he that has become quit of (has renounced) the way of Pharaoh and has become like unto Moses.

قوم موسی شو بخور این آب را ** صلح کن با مه ببین مهتاب را

Become (as) the people of Moses and drink this water; make peace with the Moon and behold the moonbeams.

صدهزاران ظلمتست از خشم تو ** بر عبادالله اندر چشم تو

There are a hundred thousand darknesses in thine eye (which arise) from thy wrath against the servants of God.

خشم بنشان چشم بگشا شاد شو ** عبرت از یاران بگیر استاد شو

Extinguish wrath, open the (spiritual) eye, rejoice, take a lesson from (true) friends, become a teacher (of the Truth).

کی طفیل من شوی در اغتراف ** چون ترا کفریست هم‌چون کوه قاف3450

How wilt thou become my parasite (follower) in scooping up (the water) when thou hast an unbelief (as great) as Mount Qáf?

کوه در سوراخ سوزن کی رود ** جز مگر که آن رشته‌ی یکتا شود

How should a mountain go into the cavity (eye) of a needle, unless indeed it become a single thread?

کوه را که کن به استغفار و خوش ** جام مغفوران بگیر و خوش بکش

By asking forgiveness (of God) make the mountain (like) a straw, and (then) take joyously the cup of the forgiven and drain (it) joyously!

تو بدین تزویر چون نوشی از آن ** چون حرامش کرد حق بر کافران

Inasmuch as God hath made it unlawful to the unbelievers, how wilt thou drink of it (whilst thou art endued) with this imposture?

خالق تزویر تزویر ترا ** کی خرد ای مفتری مفترا

How should the Creator of imposture buy (accept) thy imposture, O fabricator of fiction?

آل موسی شو که حیلت سود نیست ** حیله‌ات باد تهی پیمودنیست3455

Become (like) the kinsfolk of Moses, for deceit is useless: thy deceit is (like) measuring the empty wind.

زهره دارد آب کز امر صمد ** گردد او با کافران آبی کند

Will the water dare to turn aside from the command of the Lord and bestow refreshment on the unbelievers?